Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Baker Mayfield vs C.J. StroudWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to C.J. Stroud's 14.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Baker Mayfield is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Baker Mayfield edges C.J. Stroud by 1.1 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Baker Mayfield goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19PPG LEADER

Baker Mayfield

PPG

16.0

Games

Pass Yds

3,693

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBHouston Texans#23

C.J. Stroud

PPG

14.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Baker Mayfield

C.J. Stroud

Head to Head

16.0 PPG14.9 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Baker Mayfield: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #19 at the position). C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield is producing at 73% of elite pace and C.J. Stroud at 68%. That ranking gap means Baker Mayfield carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Baker Mayfield vs C.J. Stroud: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Baker Mayfield and C.J. Stroud is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 PPG with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers across 17 games, and C.J. Stroud posted 14.9 with the Houston Texans in 14.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Baker Mayfield threw for 3693 yards and 26 touchdowns, while C.J. Stroud posted 3041 yards and 19 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Baker Mayfield has his bye in Week 10, and C.J. Stroud rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Baker Mayfield (age 31) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. C.J. Stroud (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Baker Mayfield outscored C.J. Stroud by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Baker Mayfield played 17 games in 2025 compared to C.J. Stroud's 14. That durability gap means Baker Mayfield contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Baker Mayfield scored 27 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Baker Mayfield added 382 rushing yards in 2025, which historically correlates with a higher fantasy floor in bad passing matchups.
•C.J. Stroud is 7 years younger than Baker Mayfield (24 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Baker Mayfield vs C.J. Stroud: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Baker Mayfield	C.J. Stroud
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	14.9
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	209
Passing Yards	3,693	3,041
Passing TDs	26	19
Pass Yds/Game	217.2	217.2
Rushing Yards	382	209
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	27	20
TDs/Game	1.6	1.4
Age	31	24
Experience	7 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Baker Mayfield holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.0 points per game. C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Baker Mayfield or C.J. Stroud in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Baker Mayfield has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to C.J. Stroud's 14.9 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Baker Mayfield and C.J. Stroud average in 2025?▾

Baker Mayfield averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Baker Mayfield and C.J. Stroud's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Baker Mayfield or C.J. Stroud a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Baker Mayfield outscored C.J. Stroud by 1.1 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.